Air power windmill



Dec. 28, 1948. D. B. WOOD AIR POWER WINDMILL Filed 'MaIOh 6, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet l II -1 H 1 TJHMIHHHHEM M W .......H@ w: 9 M 7 mm mm mm #9 om 0: mm. m mm on Q mm Ev 0m M v. Q m@ cm on vm S Q Q I 9 t Inue ntor Daniel 8. Wood Attorreys Dec 28, 1948.

D. B. WOOD AIR POWER WINDMILL s Sheets-Shet 2 Filed March 6, 1-947 Inventor Daniel 5. Wood mm 3 6 E8 w mm R E ww mm |||l||| Q 8 ml mm E 3 mi \il w w 2 1 mm 1 on \i\k\ mm on I y w mm on m vm v: 9 on ll mm 8 mm 3 mm 9 m: ow e mm m= wv 8 mm mm mm mm m 2: S 2 om Dec. 28, 1948. B, W OD 2,457,514

AIR POWER WINDMILL 5 Shets-Sheet 3 1 Filed March 6, 1947 HUN WWI

Inventor 9 Daniel B. Wood Patented Dec. 28, 1948 time sTATas PATENT orries AIR POWER WINDMILL Daniel B. Wood, Bowling Green, Ky. Application March 6, 1947, Serial No. 732,898 Q This invention comprises novel and useful irriprovements in an air power windmill and more especially pertains, to an improved and efiicient mechanism for deriving power from the velocity of the wind and controlling the same.

The principal objects of this invention reside-- in providing a wind motor which shall be of relatively simple and inexpensive construction; may be easily assembled and disassembled to facilitate its transportation or storage and enhance its portability and use; which is particularly adapt ed to be constructed in a variety of sizes and embodiments in accordance with the fundamental principles of the invention; which is provided with a novel governor means for preventing op:

eration of the motor when the wind velocity err-- ceeds a predetermined maximum; and wherein novel means are provided in cooperation with the governor for overriding the same and preventing operation of the device.

These, together with various ancillary objects of the invention which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds,'are realized by this invention, the preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the device;

Figure 2 is a. vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view oi the governing mechanism of the invention;

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical sectional View through one of the fixed stops for the movable vanes of the invention;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical view in elevation illustrating the construction of the movable stop for the vanes;

Figure 6 is a composite view showing in elevation the series of movable stops.

Referring now more specifically to the annexed drawings, and in particular first to Figure 2, it

will be seen that the present invention embodies the hubs l6 and I8. At suitable positions'inter- 6 Claims. (Cl. 1'7017) in this slot and is engaged in the rim 32.

mediate their ends, the corresponding spokes of the upper and lower wheel members 12 and M are rigidly connected by a vertically disposed strut 28 to cause the wheel members to form a rigid unitary construction comprising the above mentioned'rotor.

A plurality'of movable vanes 30 are pivoted betweenthe upper and lower wheel members l2 and M at the outer extremities of each of the spokes 26. As shown more clearly in Figure 1 and indicated in Figure 2, the spokes 2B are connected at their outer terminals as by an annular rim 32 which serves to rigidif the structure and also to-support aplurality of fixed stops to be later set forth.

Attention is now directed particularly to Figure 2' for -an-understanding of the construction of the pivoting connection of the vanes 30 to the wheel members I2 and I4. The vanes 35) are integrally formed with or otherwise rigidly attached to' vertical axles or pivots 34 which at their upper ends are provided with hemispherical sockets or recesses 35 while their lower ends are provided with hemispherical ball shaped members 38. h The members 36 and 38 are engaged by complementary ball andsocket members Ml and 42 respectively rigidly attached as by welding or else integrally formed in adjacent surfaces of each of the-spokes 26 at their outer extremities. If desired, the ball member 40 may be carried by plates 4 4 welded to the lower surface of the wheel member I2, while the sockets 42 may be formed upon .bolts which are received through the spokes of the lower wheel member I4 and detachably secured thereto as by nuts 46.

By this construction, it will be seen that the vanes 30 are each pivoted for horizontal swinging movement about their vertical axles 34 at the extremity. of each of the spoke members 26 between the upper'and lower wheel members I 2 and i l in a manner to be subsequently set forth.

Asshownbest in Figure 1, a plurality of fixed stops 4'! are secured upon the periphery or annular rim 32 of the upper wheel member l2 in a suitable position to be engaged by the upper edges'of the oscillata'ble vanes 30. For a detailed consideration of the construction of the fixed stops 41, reference is 'made to Figure 4 wherein it will be seen that each stop comprises a tubular sleeve 48? having a circumferential slot 50 extending therethrough, while a fastening screw 52 rides A depending radially extendinglug 55' extends from the sleeve 48.

The arrangement of the slot 50, the depending 3 lug :3 and the fastening means 52 is such that the lug 54 is positioned directly vertically below the rim 32 in such a position as to be engaged by the vane 30 as the latter pivots about its axis and moves radially outwardly from the axle 20. Ihe fastening means 52 normally engages that end of the slot 553 which will prevent the downwardly extending lug ti l from yielding to regular outward movement of the engaging surface of the vane 35). However, the slot '50 will permit reverse movement of the lug, and will allow a vane Whose edge extends outside the periphery of the Wheels to move inwardly and radiall of the wheels, the lug 54 yielding to this movement. It

will thus be seen that the fixed stopsprevent or of the adjustable stop. Pivoted to each of the vertical brace rods 28 extending between the upper and lower wheel members, as by aypivct or fulcrum 56, is a vertically extending shaft 58 provided with a laterally extending lug til which is adapted for oscillation of the pivot 56 in a,

plane which is radial to the vertical axle 2i} and is closely parallel to that of the spoke member 28. Shaft extends through guide brackets 82 secured as at t l to the side of the spoke '26, and is provided with a freely journaled roller 66 at the upper end thereof. The arrangement is such that the shaft 58 may be given a limitedradial movement about the pivot 56 and within the confines of the guide bracket 62. This movement is such that in the position shown in Figure 5, the lug 69 is interposed into the path of oscillation of a vane 3i: to thereby prevent the vane from passing beyond its radial spoke 25, to thereby provide an abutment by which the force of the wind which is in the direction of the. arrow as shown in Figure 1, may impart movement to all of those vanes lying on the right of the direction of wind movement, except as hereinafter set forth. However, when by a means to be subsequently .set forth, the roller 56 and shaft 58 are urged radially inwardly along the guide bracket 62 and spoke the lug 68 will be disengaged from the inward edge of the vane 3i? wherebythe latter is free to pass beyond its radial yoke 26 and thereby be rendered inoperative for receiving the thrust of the wind. 1

Attention is next directed to Figures 1 and 2 and particularly to Figure 3.

The control means for actuating the adjustable stop means consists of a tubular body or casing member 68 provided at its forward end with a longitudinally extending guide slot' It; and 'adjacent its rear end provided with a cylindrical'vertically disposed enlargement l2 constituting a bore forfree journaling engagement upon-the upper end of the axle 20. The rear end of the body 58 is horizontally slotted as atM- to a position inwardly of the bore'l2 to provide abifllrcated rear end portion. The upper and lower members of this bifurcation are again bifurcated or slotted by a longitudinal Vertical plane as at 4 it to provide pairs of straps. Freely and longitudinally slidable in the body 68 is a tubular rod or shaft 853 which at its upper end is provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced roller members the axles of these rollers being disposed and extending through the guiding slot in while the rollers themselves extend below the body portion 68 for engagement with the roller 66 in a manner .topbe subsequently set forth. At its rear end, the tubularrod 80 is provided with laterally extending arms 83 freely swiveled there- :*:in, from which extend rearwardly extending ,meznbers 86 terminating in eyes 88.

A weather or wind vane it of conventional triangular shape, is received. within the vertical slot or bifurcation 18 and is provided with a plurality of apertures i adapted" to align with the apertures in the rear portion of the body 68 and to be retained therein as by means of rivets H3 or the like. Intermediate its length, the rudder fin .13, is .provided- .with

.- laterally. extending lugs or ears 9.8 suitably aperto. receive pins 92 upon which are hin ed int-dined, portions. 94. of laterally extending fins These fins are provided with pairs of forwardly extending lugs 98 suitably. apertured for engagement by pivot pins -99 which extend through the aforementioned eyes 88.and 'lugs.98.

will thus be seen, that in response to longitudinalmovementof the tubular shaft .80, the. fins oscillated longitudinallyupon their pivot pins 99 uponthe rudder finl3. Atitsrear end, the rudder fin? has a pivoted hook l fill-depending 'ierefrom. At its forward end, the tubular shaft lt-l has a diametrically disposed pin E02 constituting a means for attaching a, spring HM; tothe shaft while the spring i-M has a hook 1-06. at

its forward end engageable in. an. apertured. lug

; tilt at the forward extremity of the body- 68,

while the rear end of spring N34: is to.be hooked over the pin Hi2. By this'construction, the-shaft 8d, rods 36 andfinsiifiare yieldingly-urged forwardly of the bodymemberfiB for. a purposeto be later set forth.

As wilibe readily understood, thefin vane. 13 which is rigidly attached to thebody: 68 causes the latter to swivel or pivot about its axle 201 in accordance with the direction of thew-ind. "This swiveling movement is for the purpose of positioning the actuating rollers 82v into a. position whi n is. in. alignment with the direction: of the wind-whereby thezsame may engage theactuated rollers Ed in a properly..timed manner.

As shown in Figures 1' and 2, a pair of chains or cables iii! are suitably attached tothe rear siufaces of the lateral-fin 9&5, these chainspassing over pulleys H2 and being attached to ahandle or weight lid. The latter is provided with a laterally extending pin ill-G adapted to be-selectively engaged-in the-notches of 'the hook member i691 As will be evident, when the control member H4 is-positioned so as to draw thechains 'l is to the rearof the rudder fin, the lateral fins 5%, the rod-*member-s 86 and the tubular-rod 8!! the spring 49 is-so tensionedthat when-these fins are subjected to a wind velocity exceeding a predetermined maximum, they will pivot about their fulcrums 32 causing thereby: a rad-ial outward movement of the members 86 and the tubular shaft 80, thereby urging the rollers 82 radially'inwardly of the wheel members for a purpose to be subsequently setforth. It may thus be seen that the governing or controlling action of the wind motor, consists in operating the adjustable stop means having a control lug Bil, by means of radial movement of the actuating rollers 82.

" The operation of the device is as follows:

The rudder fin '13 causes the governor controlling means to be always aligned with the direction of the wind indicated by the arrow in Figure l. The velocity of the wind will now pivot those vanes Ell which are disposed upon the right side of Figure 1 as viewed in the direction of the arrow of the wind direction, until they engage the adjustable stop lugs 60. At this point, they become abutted against their corresponding spokes 26 and the impact or force of the wind applied to these vanes produces a counter-clockwise direction of rotation of the rotor I0. As soon as each of the vanes completes one-half of its travel about the axle 20, the vane pivots, upon exposure of its other side to the direction of the wind blow, to the position indicated upon the left side of Figure 1 whereby the vanes will trail their corresponding spokes. In this trailing movement, the operation of the vanes is stopped by the fixed stops 46, thereby preventing the passage of the vanes from beyond the periphery of the rim 32. It will be seen that this operation is permitted as long as the stop lug 60 is interposed in the path of oscillation of the vanes 30, or in other words as long as the lug 60 and its shaft are in the position indicated at Figure 5. During this rotation, and operation as above mentioned, the actuating rollers 82 are so positioned that the actuated roller 66 in the position shown in Figure 5, is free to pass therebetween during each revolution of the rotor. However, in response to actuation of the manual control means i M, or the impact of excessive wind velocity upon the lateral fins 96, the tubular shaft 80, members 36 and rollers 82 may be shifted radially of the body 66. Normally the spring means I04 will be of sufficient tension to so position these actuating rollers 82 that the actuated rollers 66 are free to pass therebetween as aforementioned. However, if the actuated rollers 82 are shifted from their normal position, each of the actuated rollers 66 in attempting to pass therebetween, will be urged radially inwardly of the spoke 26, thereby causing the retraction of the stop lug 60 from the path of oscillation of the vanes 30. Consequently, each of the vanes 30 will be free to assume a position which is parallel to the direction of the wind and consequently would impart the rotational thrust upon the rotor. It will of course be understood that when the vanes 36 swing freely in the manner just described, their outer edges will pass beyond the confines of the rims 30, this movement being permitted by the stops 46.

It will thus be seen that excessive wind velocity will cause the adjusting means to release the abutment means for the oscillating vanes, thereby preventing movement of the rotor by the wind; and manual manipulation of the member M l will perform the same operation. When however the wind velocity is within the predetermined maximum limit, and the manual means is disengaged, the aforementioned governor means will permit the automatic operation of the device regardless of the change in direction of the wind.

wind velocity on the members 96, the stops 60,-

SI, 63, 65, 61', 69, H, 15 are progressively disengaged from the vanes 30, the stop 60 having the minimum width being disengaged first, and the others in the order of their increasing widths, whereby the vanes are successively released in accordance'with the wind velocity and/or power desired from the apparatus as the manual control of the tension on spring MM is regulated.

Obviously, the series of stops till need not be spaced in the order of their successive sizes about the wheel, but various arrangements may be resorted to in the interests of balancing the torque on the wheel as various stops are released.

Since numerous embodiments of the principles of this invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit the protection sought to the actual construction as set forth in the appended drawings and specification, but all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A wind motor comprising a rotor, a plurality of vanes journaled thereon, a plurality of fixed stops on said rotor for limiting pivotal movement of said vanes and additional means for selectively limiting the pivotal movement of said vanes, said rotor comprising a pair of vertically spaced, spoked wheels horizontally rotatable, said vanes being pivoted to the rims of said wheels, said fixed stops being carried by one of said wheels and said additional means being carried by the spokes of said wheels, vertical axles pivoted upon the spokes of one wheel, guide means upon the spokes of the other wheel providing for limited radial movement of said axles and vane stops carried by said axles and engageable with said vanes, an actuated roller on said axles, said control means being radially adjustable and having a pair of actuating rollers engageable with said actuated roller.

2. A wind motor comprising a rotor, a plurality of vanes journaled thereon, a plurality of fixed stops on said rotor for limiting pivotal movement of said vanes and additional means for selectively limiting the pivotal movement of said vanes, and adjusting means for positioning said additional means to prevent their limitin pivotal movement of said vanes, said adjusting means including a body pivoted for movement about the axis of rotation of said rotor, a rod slidable in said body, rollers carried by said rod and selectively engageable with said additional means for successively positioning the same in operative and inoperative condition.

3. A wind motor comprising a rotor, a plurality of vanes journaled thereon, a plurality of fixed stops on said rotor for limiting pivotal movement of said vanes and additional means for selectively limiting the pivotal movement of said vanes, and adjusting means for positioning said additional means to prevent their limiting pivotal movement of said vanes, said adjusting means including a body pivoted for movement about the axis )f rotation of said rotor, a rod slidable in said Jody, rollers carried by said rod and selectively angageable with said additional means for suczessively positioning the same in operative and ,noperative condition, said body having a guide slot, rollers extending through said slot,

L. A Wind motor comprising a rotor, a plurality 3f vanes journaled thereon, a plurality of fixed atom on said rotor for limiting pivotal movement of said vanes and additional means for selectively iimiting the pivotal movement of said vanes, and adjusting means for positioning said additional means to prevent their limiting'pivotal movement 3f said vanes, adjusting means including a aody pivoted for movement about the axis of rotation of said rotor, a rod slidable in said body, rollers carried by said rod and selectively en- ;ageable with said additional means for success- .vely positioning the same in operative and in- )perative condition, and resilient means in saidv aody biasing said rod and rollers into position to idjust said additional means into vane limiting position.

5. A Wind motor comprising a rotor, a plurality )f vanes journaled thereon, a plurality of fixed ;tops on said rotor for limiting pivotal movement at said vanes and additional means for selectively imiting the pivotal movement of said vanes, and adjusting means for positioning said additional means to prevent their limiting pivotal movement )f said vanes, said adjusting means including a oody pivoted for movement about the axis of :otation of said rotor, a rod slidable in said body, rollers carried by said rod and selectively engageible With said additional means for successively positioning the same in operative and inoperative condition, and resilient means in said body biasing said rod and rollers into position to adjust manual means to override said spring means t render said vane additional meansinoperative.

6. A. wind motor comprising a rotor, a plurality of vanes journaled' thereon, a'plurality of fixed stops on said rotor for limiting pivotal movement of said vanes and additional means for selectively ll'niting the'pivotal movement of said vanes, and

REFERENCES CETED The following references are of record in'f'the of this patent:

UNITED "STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 247,266 Miller Sept. 20,1881 848,522 vWhitner -'Mar.-26, 1907 1,075,060 OToole Oct. "7,1913 

